Out of My Box

One of the things I love about quilting is that sometimes to make a quilt "work" you have to get out of your box.  You know, maybe try some colors that you ordinarily wouldn't use.  You might have to try making a block that you don't think you will like.  There are all sorts of ways quilts make you get out of your box.  One of the ways I decided to get out of my box in the new year was to join the local quilt guild.  I can be very happy with my cat in my sewing room.  Just the two of us.  Fabric, cat, and me.  Oh, and a snack.  That makes me happy.  However, I can tend to be so happy that I don't want to leave my sewing room.  I decided that I really needed to get out of my box and get out there in the world a little more.  On Tuesday morning, I met some friends and I joined the guild.  Since it was the first meeting of the year, the focus was on organizing.  First, organizing the group and secondly, on organizing our own sewing space.  I listened carefully thinking maybe I could pick up a new idea or two to try.  Goodness knows that I do have an issue with neatness in my sewing room(s).   Try keeping cut strips in their own containers.  You can even label the container.  Check.  I do that.  Fold all of your fabric the same way.  Check.  I do that...well, until I pull a piece of fabric out and several tumble off the shelf.  They don't get put back quite as neatly.  Keep all of your scraps in one area and in one container.  Whoops.  I started that way but now there are multiple containers.  And so it went.  I finally decided the tips were great ones, but they were intended for the average quilter.  I was beyond that and beyond hope!   I give up.  My area is just going to have to be organized chaos.  But I do have some wonderful quilts to show you!

This is just the sweetest quilt.  Peach and creams with a soft blue and yellow backing.  I pieced this because I liked the fabric so well and Sandy quilted it for me.

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.  Many of you will recognize that phrase.  Simon and I read that book when we are together.  This yellow and brown quilt has lots of monkeys!!

My friend Cindy has donated a stack of quilts to PIECES.  This one is the softest pastel flannels.  It is so soft and cuddly.  A big thank you to Cindy!!

This sweet quilt is another one Cindy sent to us.  It may be hard to see but it has the cutest print of bird's nests with eggs and baby birds.  Cindy not only pieces the quilts but also quilts them.

I think I have mentioned we have a new piecer.  Amy is from Wichita and she pieced this quilt with soft flannels.  This one will be good for a boy or girl.

Paula pieced a fun star in boy prints.  We added a wild stripe for the backing.

This one was pieced by Judith.  She was able to take pink and green scraps and make something totally gorgeous.

Kathy pieced and quilted this gorgeous batik quilt.  It has lots of little pieces!

This quilt was done by Amy.  Again she used soft beautiful flannels.  These fabrics are favorite ones of mine with gentle flowers scattered across the fabric.

Weren't those some great quilts?   Simon approves!!





 Thanks for stopping by!

2012 Totals

Time is really flying by!  We've made it through the holidays and into 2013.  That means it is time to look at last year's numbers.  We donated 193 quilts to Lawrence Memorial Hospital in 2012.  Our total number donated since our beginning is now 443 quilts!  We are narrowing in on 500!  I don't know about you, but I find it amazing!  A huge thank you to all who helped in any way with this project of love.  My little idea has grown into a big deal!

Speaking of a big deal, I ran into a woman today in the elevator at the hospital as I was on my way to deliver more quilts.  When she saw the quilts in my arms, she exclaimed, "My daughter got one of those when she was three months old.  She still carries it everywhere and won't let her brothers touch it!"  She said it was very special to them and she went on to say it was a very big deal to get one.  

Let's take a look at some of the things we have been working on for the kids.

  

This is a quilt that was pieced by Judith.  She likes to use a lot of little squares of fabric in a variety of prints.  In other words, she has a lot of patience.  Jean, who is one of our newer quilters did the quilting for us.

I love this pattern.  Judith pieced it and again, it uses a lot of scraps.  Jean quilted it also.  This is fun in all sorts of fabrics.

This was a kit cut by Judith, pieced by Teresa and quilted by Jean.  Since it is snowmen, it is a quilt that will work all winter.

Yes!!  We have been making something besides Christmas themed quilts!  This is the familiar disappearing nine patch pattern.  The peaches, greens and blues look great together.

This is a darling quilt using a pattern we discovered in a magazine.  It is easy to sew and always turns out so cute!

This quilt, which is great for a little boy, was pieced by Lois.  We stayed with the sports theme for the backing.

As you all know, anything with yellow in it tugs at my heart.  This was a quilt donated by someone in our local quilt guild.  A big thank you to whoever pieced and quilted it.

There was a time that I really didn't like these types of prints.  Our tastes, however, change from time to time.  I think this is gorgeous.  I would even say I like these prints now.  This was pieced and quilted also by someone in the guild.  Thank you!

There are eight quilts for you this time.  I hope you liked them.  They all are wonderful in their own way and someone out there loves them!  I'll be back soon with more great stuff to look at!

Here is Simon with Mommy and Daddy.  We celebrated his first birthday while they were with us for the holidays.  I think he liked the cake!

Simon's PIECES quilt

Thanksgiving and my birthday have come and gone.  We spent the holiday in Washington, D.C. with Joshua and Jessica at Joel and Cara's home.  And of course, Simon.  Since Simon had been in the hospital with pneumonia, I had to take him a PIECES quilt.  Here he is having been playing peek-a-boo with Papa.

Simon like giraffes so this was the perfect quilt for him.  

As the cold weather starts to set in, I find I am so grateful for those days that I can spend the whole day in the sewing room.  I have recently added some shelving units to help sort our fabric donations.  I like the way it looks and it makes it so much easier to pull fabrics that will be happy together.

Here's some of the quilts we have delivered to the hospital for the kids.

This was a kit that Judith cut and Teresa sewed.  A new quilter to our group, Jean, took it and quilted the fun Christmas trees.

Aren't these snowmen fun?  The backing is Santa Claus with his list.  Sandy quilted this one.  Hopefully you can see  the holly leaves and berries.

This is a quilt that was donated by someone in the local quilt guild.  It is made up of simple snowball blocks but looks so good for a winter quilt.

More snowmen!  This is a cute, snugly quilt.  Sandy also quilted it and put lots of detail into it.

Life has been a bit hectic for me recently so I have not posted as often as I would like to.  My plan is to be able to show you lots more of the quilts we have.  Each and every one of them is unique and has it's own charm.  Please check back to see what's new!

Be Thankful

It is hard to believe it is time for Thanksgiving.  Before we know it, Christmas will be here.  This is a busy time of the year for everyone.  Fortunately for me, everyone who helps with PIECES makes time in their busy schedule to keep us supplied in quilts for the kids.

A big thank you to Paula.  She donated supplies that we use such as laundry products.  This is a huge help.  Paula also donated fabric not to mention a number of quilt tops that she has pieced.  We also got a wonderful donation of fabric from a sweet lady named Vicky.  She is downsizing and going to travel with her husband in an RV.  While she is going to continue quilting, it will be on a much smaller scale.

I had planned on showing you some quilts today.  I just discovered that my allotted space to store photos for the blog is full!  I am going to have to upgrade in order to show you more of these great quilts.  In the meantime, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know we all have many things to be thankful for.

Four Hundred Plus

We have hit a milestone! It is not one I had ever anticipated when I decided to make a few quilts.  We have now donated 410 quilts to LMH Pediatrics!!!  I don't know about you, but I think that is a huge number.  For those of you that quilt, you know the time you spend on one quilt.  If you pieced a top, quilted a top, sewed a binding or made a donation, pat yourself on the back!  After you finish that, say out loud, "I made a difference."  Each and every one of you are incredible.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Not only have you made a difference for all the 410 children, but you've made a difference in my life too.

Speaking of that, several people have given us great donations of fabric.  Thanks to Barbara, Terry, Liz and Susan.

I have terrific quilts to show you!

I know Halloween has passed but I didn't want to miss the chance to show you two more of the Halloween quilts we did.  This one began at Judith's house.  Sandy quilted it.  She pieced the backing--isn't it cute?  After that, she went a little crazy and quilted it with totally awesome quilting.  The orange thread is perfect.  She could have done some simple quilting that would have been quick but instead decided to put extra work into it to make it special.  Thanks Sandy!

This Halloween quilt also started at Judith's house and ended up with Sandy.  Sandy did quilting with orange thread that looks like bat wings.

This quilt was pieced by Susan.  It is a bit larger than some of our quilts.  That makes it perfect for a teenage girl.

Isn't this a fun quilt?  It has all kinds of dogs and dog faces in the panels.  The red and blue accent fabrics make it great for a little boy.  Jenni pieced it and Shannon added the perfect backing and quilting.

Paula pieced this sweet quilt.  Nan added the backing and the pretty quilting.  I think this one is just so soft and soothing.

This quilt is called Crazy Eights because you use eight fat quarters.  Susan pieced it.  Sandy used a fun tan batik on the back.  As you can see from the bottom photo she went crazy again and did lots of quilting on it.  (I just love it when she gets crazy like that!)

Because everyone has been very busy helping keep quilts ready for the kids, I have lots more to show you.  I think I will save those for another day.

Simon is getting very close to walking!  It helps to hang on.  

You should hang on too.  We're on our way to 500--our next milestone!